West Ham introduced the departure of Declan Rice on Saturday as he nears a transfer to Arsenal, with the midfielder saying it was a “powerful resolution” to depart the east London membership.
The Premier League runners-up agreed a club-record charge for Rice price £100 million ($131m) plus £5m ($6.5m) in add-ons, sources instructed ESPN. The quantity simply eclipses Arsenal’s earlier file charge — the £72m paid to signal Nicolas Pepe from Lille in 2019.
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When all is alleged and executed, Rice, 24, might also develop into the costliest British participant in Premier League historical past, eclipsing the £100m Manchester Metropolis paid to signal Jack Grealish from Aston Villa two years in the past.
“Everybody at West Ham United needs to be very pleased with the half we now have performed in his journey from the Academy of Soccer at Chadwell Heath to turning into probably the most helpful younger participant in English soccer,” West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan said in a statement.
Rice’s imminent arrival follows the signing of Germany worldwide Kai Havertz from Chelsea for a charge price as much as £67.5m as Arsenal proceed so as to add firepower to the squad that mounted an sudden Premier League title problem final season.
Arsenal ultimately fell brief to title eventual Treble winners Metropolis however got here out on prime within the race to signal Rice.
Metropolis had an earlier supply of £80m plus £10m in add-ons rejected, sources instructed ESPN, however believed Arsenal’s bid exceeded their valuation.
West Ham have lengthy anticipated Rice, who has one yr left on his contract plus the choice of one other yr, to depart this summer season after guiding the membership to the Europa Conference League title final month.
Arsenal had their opening two affords for Rice rejected, sources instructed ESPN, together with a bid final month of £75m plus £15m in add-ons.
Manchester United had additionally been linked to Rice, however they weren’t capable of match West Ham’s valuation.
Rice had spent his complete senior profession at West Ham, making his first-team debut in 2017 and being named the membership captain forward of the 2022-23 season. After making his debut in 2019, Rice has gone on to make 43 appearances for England.
“I knew from the very first second I walked into Chadwell Heath [training ground] that I had discovered one other place I may name dwelling,” Rice stated in an open letter to West Ham fans.
“I look again now and realise how essential my time at Chadwell Heath was in shaping me, as a footballer and as a person… I discovered the proper place to construct my confidence, enabling my focus, willpower and ambition to flourish.
“I need you to understand how powerful a choice it has been for me to depart an surroundings that I’ve cherished and cherished a lot. In the end, although, it has solely ever been about my ambition to play on the very highest degree of the sport.”